Dad attacks mom, takes baby, and stashes drugs in diaper bag (Geneva, Ohio)

Dad JOSEPH SMITH is quite a prince. He attacks his live-in girlfriend, the mother of their child, when she attempts to leave the home. He runs off with the baby. Oh, and he stuffs his drugs in the baby's diaper bag--I guess so he wouldn't forget and leave them at home. Oxycodone and Pampers--what a great combination. Not a big surprise here that Dad's been convicted on domestic violence charges before.

http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_285233118.html

Published October 12, 2009 11:29 pm - The father who allegedly attacked his girlfriend, ran off with their child and stashed drugs in the diaper bag was still in jail Monday in lieu of posting a bond, Western County Court records show.

Dad accused of taking baby, stuffin diaper bag with drugs, syringes
Suspect allegedly attacked girlfriend, ran off with child

By MARGIE TRAX PAGE - Staff Writer - mtrax@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

GENEVA — The father who allegedly attacked his girlfriend, ran off with their child and stashed drugs in the diaper bag was still in jail Monday in lieu of posting a bond, Western County Court records show.

Police reports show Joseph Smith, 41, of South Broadway, was arguing with his 31-year-old live-in girlfriend Friday when the fight became physical. As his girlfriend tried to leave their South Broadway residence, Smith reportedly blocked the front door and then tackled the woman as she ran to the back door, police reports show.

Smith then allegedly held the woman down. She punched and hit Smith “several times in an attempt to fend him off,” Officer Derrick Yopp reports.

The woman grabbed a blanket to cover herself and ran to a neighbor’s house to call the police and Smith left the house with the couple’s 1 1/2 year old son, Yopp reported.

Yopp said Smith wouldn’t say where he took the child, only that he was trying to protect his son.

Officers eventually found the child at Smith’s friend’s house, but got more than they bargained for as they also found prescription Oxycodone pills and marijuana in the bag Smith left with the baby, police reports show.

Smith’s girlfriend told police Smith uses the syringes to inject himself with the crushed pills, police reports show.

Smith and his girlfriend could not be reached for comment Monday.

Smith pleaded not guilty in Western County Court on Friday to domestic violence and possession of drug abuse instruments. He is held at the Geneva City Jail in lieu of a $1,750 cash bond. Judge Richard Stevens also issued a temporary protection order against Smith to ensure he won’t contact his girlfriend. Smith will return to court on Oct. 27 for trial, court records show.

Smith was convicted of domestic violence in 2006, Conneaut Municipal Court records show.